Uninterrupted internet connectivity in coastal road tunnel

Ahead of the opening of the first phase of its ambitious Mumbai coastal road project, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is in negotiations with mobile network service providers to install antennas throughout the twin tunnels along the Mumbai coastal road. This initiative aims to ensure uninterrupted connectivity for motorists travelling between Breach Candy and Marine Drive, and vice versa. Initially, the BMC requested the contractor responsible for tunnel construction to facilitate this provision, but they proposed an additional cost. Consequently, the BMC has opted to directly engage with mobile network service providers. Additionally, the civic body anticipates generating revenue by leasing civic-owned space for the installation of these antennas. A BMC official said that it would be a win-win situation for the civic body as well as the service provider. This would mean the passengers in their cars or those in buses have uninterrupted internet access and they are able to speak on the phone even while in the twin tunnels. Since the civic body would need to grant the service providers space for setting up the antennas, the estate department would need to sanction permission for the same. In turn the BMC will also earn revenue out of it.